Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Yes, but we cant keep holding on to a handfull of great plays in big games or SB.. much like holding on to Hartley for 1 kick, Porter for a SB int...

Players preform differently in prime time... We have to get there first. That can only be done with consistent play week in and out.... If they do that like we did in 09' THEN they can pull off the big ones in prime time.

If it were not for Sharpers consisted INTs during the regular season, we may have not made it to the SB.
We beat the Jets by 10 Sharper has 2 INT 1 pick 6
Mia beat by 12 Sharper had 1 INT (Pick 6)
Beat TB by 3 Sharper had an INT
Sharper had 3 pick 6s out of 9 INTs in 2009.

Did we have a great Defense? No they were ranked 25th we did have 26 Interceptions. we had 18 total in 10'/11' combined.

Catch is Sharper played the ball... What we have now plays the receiver... but I digress...

We need consistent play, (Sharper was dominant for a whole season)... Most people just remember Porters INT in the SB... we cant continue to just hold on to a guy because we remember 4 big plays in 3 years.

I presume a lot of this comes from being the Saints... Someone does better than the rest a few times and he is golden...

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Freeman better watch out for Vilma ... Vilma is going to be imagining Freeman as Roger Goodell who said something bad about his mama. Can we get Henry Winkler to coach for one game?

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Man, Black, you are just Captain Buzzkill about Vilma these days! How about we let the man get back to practice, let him fit in with the new D, let him get back on the field,THEN we decide whether to put him out to pasture or not. You're not even giving him a chance to prove himself after his rehab!

I get what you are saying, on principle, there's definitely times to move on, but man. When people get too extreme with the "what have you done for me lately?" posture, then you end up firing Payton after a disappointing 2007, Darren Sharper would probably never even BE here, and we end up passing on Brees in favor of God knows what else at QB. Let the Vilma story play out. The dude is one of our major players, back from a major injury, and a key person for leadership on the team -- if people here in fanland want to be excited about it, I think that's great.

I am especially looking for leadership from Vilma these next few weeks because as has been pointed out, he has A Ring, and a lot of the young dudes on our defense will look up to that and perhaps be inspired by it. And if the added competition makes our other linebackers step their games up, then right now that's cool too. We need all the help and swagger we can get.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

My soapbox was not about Vilma in particular... it was in general, and more towards players like Hartley, Bush, Porter.. Closer to 1 hit wonders.

In regards to Vilma, yes... He needs to play, he needs to replace Shanle ASAP. But ASAP doesn't mean he is ready to play just because the league is allowing it. If Vilma is not ready.. he could actually do worse than Shanle.

I sort of hope Vilma's first game running out of a tunnel is a home game... The crowd will erupt into a standing ovation and Goodell can crawl back into his own arse.

I have no intent of putting him out to pasture. I like Vilma, but not because of 4-5 plays. I like him because of his entire body of work for the Saints since 08.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

I keep reading this, but I just can't seem to comprehend it?
LOL, Is it even possible?

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Shanle may not be productive and is sometimes out of position... He has been practicing and working with in this system for a few months now.

Vilma not knowing it first hand means he will be out of position a hell of a lot more.

Look at it this way. We have some fairly sharp people on the defense... maybe not the most gifted athletically but they are fairly sharp. After 5 weeks they are still not up to speed on where they need to be 30% of the time.

Vilma walking on the field now being basically where the team was at week 1 is a liability.. He is athletically superior to Shanle... Shanle has more experience in this program.

Vilma needs at LEAST a week in pads at full throttle so he can start to read and react to not be out of position.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

I do see your point. Hard to get past the Shanle factor though.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

I questioned my self a few times before I made that statement... trust me.

IF our defense had its feet underneath it right now. Being able to keep opposing teams under 350 ttl yards a game and under 20 points per game... I would say they could compensate.. I just don't see them being able to do that right now.

You know as well as I do they will pick on Vilma first week he plays because they know his chances to be out of position are good. We just cant afford another loss.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Maybe if he plays along side Shanle, and goes opposite from Shanle, he will be in position more times than not. Potential game-plan for Vilma? LOL

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

QB's are destroying our LB's in coverage with those short throws. Vilma is our best cover LB so it can only help.